
EMBLEMA XXV.
Caesareos cineres quae moles clauserat olim,
Arx est Romano nuncsacra Pontifici.
Quàm benè qui mortis nunc est mortalibus auctor,
Morti sacratas obtinet iste domos.[1]
The huge building which once enclosed the ashes of the Emperor is now the sacred citadel for the Roman pontiff. How suitable that he who even now is the cause of death to mortals occupies a dwelling dedicated to death.
1. The image clarifies the meaning of this emblem: it is the Castel Saint’ Angelo in Rome, originally a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, but converted into a Papal residence. The building to the left is probably meant to be Saint Peter’s, likening its never-ending reconstruction and expansion in the sixteenth century to the doomed Tower of Babel - a product of vanity, which ultimately drove its builders mad - as perhaps is shown in this image by men jumping off the roof.
Related Emblems
Iconclass Keywords
Relating to the image:
- ash [41B152] Search | Browse Iconclass
- birds [25F3] Search | Browse Iconclass
- bridge in city across river, canal, etc. [25I1451] Search | Browse Iconclass
- city(-scape) with figures, staffage ®® KEY (1) TO 25I city-view, and landscape with man-made constructions [25I(+1)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- decorative use of flags, etc.; dressing of ship [45B53] Search | Browse Iconclass
- emperor [44B112] Search | Browse Iconclass
- flying [31A2762] Search | Browse Iconclass
- names of cities and villages (with NAME) [61E(ROME)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- names of historical buildings, sites, streets, etc. (with NAME) [61F(CASTEL SANT'ANGELO)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- spire (of tower on house or building) [41A3611] Search | Browse Iconclass
- tower (of house or building) [41A361] Search | Browse Iconclass
- towers ~ fortified city [45K142] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- archbishop, bishop, etc. (Roman Catholic) [11P3113] Search | Browse Iconclass
- body-burning, cremation [42E25] Search | Browse Iconclass
- grave, tomb [42E31] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Mortality, Extinction of Life [58BB1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- pope [11P3111] Search | Browse Iconclass
- the life of man [11R] Search | Browse Iconclass
- violent death, being killed; being mishandled and maltreated; seeking death [31E23] Search | Browse Iconclass
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